Douglas L Harkey

Douglas L. Harkey, 92, passed away on Tuesday, October 12, 2021. A visitation will be held on Friday, October 15, 2021, at 10AM from Memory Chapel, immediately followed by a Graveside Funeral Service at 11AM from Memory Hill Gardens, Garden of Devotion, with Bro. Curtis Kelley officiating. Funeral services are under the direction of Memory Chapel, a Dignity Memorial provider.

Mr. Harkey grew up in Samantha, AL, after retiring from a long career as a truck driver, he owned and operated a successful Lawn Service and was able to retire from that at the age of 86. A Baptist by faith, he was a member of Taylorville Baptist Church. He loved and was immensely proud of his family. He was also known for his story-telling abilities. If you were around him for any length of time, you were bound to be held captive by one of his intriguing stories. A wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend he was a living treasure and will be greatly missed by those who know and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his wife Louise Moore Harkey; parents Vernon and Leonard Harkey; sisters Iteria Lee and Della Dunn; and brothers Doyle Harkey and Derwood Harkey.

He is survived by his wife Verna Lynn Harkey; son Don Harkey of Raleigh, NC; daughters Debra (David) Johnston and Anne (Ray) Petty both of Birmingham; step-daughters Teresa Hanvey and Pam Hanvey both of Alabaster; sisters Joyce Farmer and Jane Rogers both of Tuscaloosa; five grandchildren: Kristen Dowd of Dallas, TX, Lauren (Tim) Moynihan of Birmingham, Rachel (Sean) Smith of Moundville, US Navy Chief Warrant Officer 2 Stephen (Amy) Tackett of San Diego, CA, and Leah (Hunter) Bishop of Moundville; nine great-grandchildren: Caroline and Banks Dowd, William and John Moynihan, Weston, Madisyn and Sage Smith, and Ellie and Danny Tackett; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.

Serving as Active Pallbearers will be: Stephen Tackett, Sean Smith, Hunter Bishop and Larry Whitaker. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. William Hill (“The Best Dr. in the World”) and Dr. Leonard Jones.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter, 3140 35th Street, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (www.metroanimalshelter.org), Shelby Humane Society, 381 McDow Road, Columbiana, AL 35051 (www.shelbyhumane.org), or Taylorville Baptist Church, 7201 Moundville Lane, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 (www.taylorvillebaptist.com).